Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ruh ikizi | /ˈɾuh i.ci.zi/ |
| ruhsal eş | /ɾuhsal eʃ/ (from spelling rules) |
The term refers to someone with whom one has a special connection. While ruh ikizi is the standard way to express this concept, you may also encounter Can yoldaşı, which literally means 'companion of the soul'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ruh ikizi is a compound of ruh, meaning 'soul' and ikiz, meaning 'twin'.
Which one should you use?
Ruh ikizi is the most common way to express the concept of a soulmate. In contrast, ruhsal eş sounds more clinical or literal, translating to 'spiritual partner'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my soulmate', you add the possessive suffix '-im' to the end of the phrase to get ruh ikizim. When the soulmate is the direct object of a verb, such as in the sentence 'found his soulmate', the phrase takes the accusative suffix '-ni', resulting in ruh ikizini.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈɾuh i.ci.zi/. The first syllable is stressed. The sounds are as follows: /ɾ/ is like the [t] in the American English word 'atom', /u/ is like the [oo] in 'cool', /h/ is like the [h] in 'home', /i/ is like the [ee] in 'creek', /c/ is like the [k] in 'skew' and /z/ is like the [z] in 'zone'.
Did you know?
- The word ruh comes from the Arabic word rūḥ, which also shares a root with the word for 'wind' or 'breath'.
- The word can is so central to Turkish expressions of affection that it is often used as a term of endearment for friends and family, not just soulmates.
- Because ruh ikizi uses the word for 'twin', it creates a much stronger sense of biological or predestined symmetry than the English 'soulmate' often implies.
Examples in context
- Tom ruh ikizini buldu.Tom has found his soulmate.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the accusative form of ruh ikizi.Tatoeba #10944604 by deyta, translation #10944467 by CK
- Aslında o benim ruh ikizim.Basically he is my soulmate.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the phrase ruh ikizi.Tatoeba #5211053 by duran, translation #5201017 by jayrod84
- Can yoldaşım, sen benim için çok özelsin.My soul companion, you are very special to me.
- Gerçekten bir ruh ikizi arıyor musun?Are you really looking for a soulmate?
Example conversation
Burak and Elif are talking about their relationship.
- BurakElif, sen benim gerçek ruh ikizimsin.Elif, you are my true soulmate.
- ElifBen de aynı şeyi hissediyorum, Burak.I feel the same way, Burak.
- BurakBirbirimizi tamamlıyoruz, değil mi?We complete each other, don't we?
- ElifEvet, kesinlikle öyle.Yes, definitely so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soulmate” translations and entries ruh ikizi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eş, ruh, ruh ikizi, ruhsal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
